Math Pathways - Middle School

Points Comprising Aggregate Score for 7th Grade Math Placement

SBAC Math Score

(5th Grade)

Highest iReady Math Score 

(6th Grade)

2659 or higher    (4 points)

        575 or higher   (4 points)

      2619-2658           (3 points)

        565-574            (3 points)

2579-2618           (2 points) 

        541-564            (2 points)

      2562-2578           (1 point) 

        514-540            (1 point)

Students earning an aggregate score of at least 4 points will be invited to take the Math 7-8 Readiness Assessment to determine if Math 7-8 is a more appropriate placement. To test into Math 7-8, students must demonstrate proficiency on critical Math 6 content and concepts otherwise missed from the Math 7 curriculum by scoring at least 70% on the Math 7-8 Readiness Assessment.  Students new to the district, or missing one or both measures may either request to test, or be invited to test on an individual basis depending upon data that is available.

Students who have taken Math 6-7 in 6th grade typically join our Math 7-8 class.  This class covers the remaining 7th grade units that were not taught in Math 6-7,  as well as most of the 8th grade curriculum.   At the end of 7th grade, students who have successfully completed Math 7-8 (average > 83%) are well prepared to take Algebra I as 8th graders.

In addition to our Math 7 and Math 7-8 courses, we also offer an Algebra I course off cluster.  Since this represents a 2-year grade level advancement, students who are interested need to take a placement test, the Algebra Readiness Assessment, to qualify.   The Algebra Readiness Assessment covers critical Math 7 content, and most of the Math 8 curriculum, as students who take Algebra I as 7th graders will not be taught these topics in school.  Students who successfully complete Algebra I in 7th grade (average > 90%) will take either Algebra II or Geometry as 8th graders. 

Algebra Readiness Assessment

Students who are interested in taking Algebra I in 7th or 8th grade without completing the prerequisite course (Math 7-8) may take the Algebra Readiness Assessment to demonstrate proficiency with critical Math 7 content and most of the Math 8 curriculum.  

The assessment is given in two parts:  Part A and Part B. 

Part A covers Solving Algebraic Equations and Number Operations and Computation. To advance to Part B of the assessment, students must answer 5 out of 9 questions correctly in the Solving Algebraic Equations section and 3 out of 8 questions correctly in the Number Operations and Computation section.

Part B covers Real Numbers, Pythagorean Theorem, Volume, Linear Equations (2 variables), Powers and Exponents, Angles and Angle Relationships, and Transformations (including Congruency and Similarity).

In addition to the minimum required scores in Part A, students need to have a cumulative score  > 60% on Part A and Part B to qualify for Algebra I.

8th Grade 

In 8th grade, we have several offerings:  Math 8, Math 8 Enriched, Algebra I, and either Algebra II or Geometry, depending upon the needs of the students. 

Students who were in Math 7 (either a regular or enriched section) are placed into either Math 8 or Math 8 Enriched.  Consideration for placement into Math 8 Enriched will be based upon the following measures:  the 6th grade SBAC math score and the highest iReady math score from 7th grade. Those measures will contribute to an aggregate score for each student. 

Points Comprising Aggregate Score for 8th Grade Math Placement

SBAC Math Score

(6th Grade)

Highest iReady Math Score 

(7th Grade)

2702 or higher   (4 points)

586 or higher   (4 points)

        2656 - 2701        (3 points)

        575-585            (3 points)

        2610-2655         (2 points) 

        565-574            (2 points)

        2590-2609         (1 point)

        531-564            (1 point)

Math 8 and Math 8 Enriched follow the same curriculum, but the enriched class incorporates more in-depth problem solving and enrichment activities.  Enrichment can also be provided to students in Math 8, as appropriate.

Students who have successfully completed Math 7-8 (avg > 83%) are scheduled into an Algebra I class.  Math 7-8 students whose average is below 83% are scheduled into a Math 8 Enriched class but may request to take the Algebra Readiness Assessment to test into Algebra I.

Resources 

Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, Newtown has adopted HMH: Into Math as the essential resource for Math 6, Math 6-7, Math 7, Math 7-8, and Math 8/Math 8 Enriched.